You can bring water to CSU-CU Showdown but can't buy beer at the stadium

CSU football fans and the school's mascot, CAM the Ram, pose for TV cameras during last year's Rocky Mountain Showdown football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. The NFL stadium allows fans to bring in outside food and factory-sealed beverages, which are banned at CSU's new stadium, but won't sell beer at Friday night's game.(Photo: Chelsae Ketchum/The Coloradoan)Buy Photo

Unlike at the CSU stadium opener on Saturday, CSU football fans won't be able to purchase a cold beer from a stadium vendor this week at the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

But they will be allowed to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages in factory-sealed, plastic bottles to Friday's 6 p.m. game at Sports Authority Field in Denver against the University of Colorado.

Fans attending Colorado State University's first game in its new on-campus stadium took to social media in recent days to complain about long lines at concession stands and water fountains during the Rams' 58-27 blasting of Oregon State before a sellout crowd of 37,583. Game-time temperatures reached 94 degrees, according to the CSU weather station, making it one of the hottest days of the year.

"Water bottles" are listed under "prohibited items" on the "Ram Fan Guide" that CSU provided for season-ticket holders for the first season in the new stadium and also posts and updates on its stadium website, colostate.edu/stadium.

CSU's policy also prohibits "outside food and beverage" based on what athletic director Joe Parker said were "best practices" at sports venues around the country and Homeland Security guidelines.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the home stadium of the NFL's Denver Broncos and site of the Showdown, allows "food items carried in a clear plastic bag." CU also allows factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages and outside food into its home games at Folsom Field in Boulder.

Beer, a popular item for fans at CSU football games, is not sold during the Showdown although it is sold during Denver Broncos games and other events at Sports Authority Field. Parker, who is in his second year as CSU athletic director, didn't know why beer sales were banned during the game. Both schools had different athletic directors when the 10-year contract for the series of games through 2020 was signed.

CU sells alcohol in confined public beer and wine gardens at Folsom Field and in premium seating areas but not in the general seating areas.

All NFL stadiums, including Sports Authority Field, require fans to pass through a metal detector for entry. CSU does not have metal detectors as part of its security check for fans entering its new stadium.

CSU has adopted the NFL's clear-bag policy for its new stadium, limiting each fan to "bags that are clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC" and do not exceed 12 inches in width, 6 inches in depth and 12 inches in height. This includes totes with handles that have been made specifically for stadium-goers as well as 1-gallon clear plastic food-storage or freezer bags, such as those made by Ziploc.

Small clutch bags, 4 ½ by 6 ½ inches or smaller, are also allowed to be carried separately or within the clear bag.

The list of prohibited items, including outside food and beverage and water bottles, is part of CSU's clear-bag policy that also bans coolers, strollers, umbrellas, marijuana, firearms, laser pointers, pets, balloons, bats and flags among other items. Sports Authority Field has a smaller list of prohibited items that is not repeated in its description of its clear-bag policy.

Parker said CSU is reviewing all of its procedures and policies following the opening game in the new stadium and discussing possible changes for future games. The Rams' next home game at CSU Stadium is 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 against Abilene Christian.

Follow reporter Kelly Lyell at twitter.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news and listen to him talk CSU sports at 11:35 a.m. Thursdays on KFKA radio (AM 1310).